Inside the inn.

Ye Caiping had already changed her clothes.

Jin'er and Huan'er's hair was covered in wonton soup, and they were taking a bath in another room.

A knock sounded at the door. Ye Caiping opened it and saw Magistrate Lu standing outside, looking apologetic. He said, "Madam Ye, shall we have a chat?"

Ye Caiping let him in: "Didn't the master say last time that he had already taught Madam a lesson? Also, those rumors haven't stopped at all."

Magistrate Lu looked troubled: "I have disciplined her and put her in confinement. But she has been in charge of the inner quarters for many years. I can confine one person, but I can't control all the servants in the mansion!"

"Those rumors... I made an example of her to warn others, but unexpectedly, she secretly had her maid pay people to continue spreading them."

"Fortunately, half of the people already know that she was jealous and slandered Lady Ye."

"However... what surprised me was that she actually allowed Zheng Kai to try to kidnap Lady Ye. She's incredibly audacious!"

“She…is getting more and more outrageous!” He said, looking at Ye Caiping: “Madam Ye…do you have any thoughts on this?”

Ye Caiping said, "I have no idea! And I won't have any idea. If you want to help me, why don't we go out of the city for a walk to clear our heads?"

Magistrate Lu's face stiffened: "Of course I want to help you. But Lady Ye must have heard the news recently. I'm currently investigating a massacre of an entire family. The murderer is a notorious bandit who was already arrested. But last night, his accomplices rescued him."

"The order is that he must be captured, and no one is allowed to leave the city before that."

Ye Caiping responded casually, "Oh."

Magistrate Lu sighed heavily: "I can no longer tolerate her."

"So, what does Your Excellency intend to do?"

Magistrate Lu angrily flicked his sleeve and snorted: "Isn't she spreading rumors that you and I have an affair? So that we'll avoid suspicion? Well, we'll not do as she wishes!"

"Furthermore... during this time, Madam Ye's reputation has been ruined by her. Why don't you just follow me?"

"Don't worry, I'm not taking a concubine. I will marry you as my secondary wife. That way, you can avenge yourself and trample her under your feet!"

"Once you're in the manor, we'll gradually bring her down. After three to five years, we'll elevate you to the position of wife."

"Besides, the rumors have changed recently. Now that people know you were framed, even if I marry you, no one will say anything bad about you. Everyone will know then that it was all her own fault, and that I'm marrying you simply to take responsibility for you."

Ye Caiping's face darkened, and she said angrily, "Please, sir, do not act impulsively."

"I don't want to get involved in your struggles anymore. If you want to take revenge on her, just take ten or eight concubines. Why drag me into this?"

“Once the lord has taken a bunch of beautiful concubines, her attention will naturally be diverted. The lord can bring her down however he wants. Once the lord has a new favorite, the rumors about me will fall apart on their own.”

Magistrate Lu's face stiffened: "What Lady Ye said makes sense."

Ye Caiping stood up: "It's getting late, I should go home now, farewell."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Ye Daquan was arguing with Master Luo in the lobby, while Ye Xuan, Jin'er, and Huan'er were sitting to the side. When they saw Ye Caiping come downstairs, they immediately stood up.

"Little sister, are you alright? Why did it take you so long to change your clothes?" Ye Daquan asked.

"It's nothing, let's talk about it when we get home."

...

When Grandma Ye heard the sound of the carriage, she rushed to the west gate and was surprised to see Ye Daquan driving the carriage over.

"Why are you back?"

After Ye Caiping and the others got off the carriage, Ye Jin'er said, "I heard that a notorious bandit has escaped, and the whole city is searching for him."

Grandma Ye was startled: "Oh, then stay home as much as possible. Have you eaten yet?"

As Ye Caiping and the others walked towards the courtyard, they said, "We've already eaten."

Ye Huan'er pouted and told the old lady about Zheng Kai's attempt to kidnap her. The old lady's face changed.

Old Mrs. Ye thought that although the magistrate's wife was still making a fuss, at least Magistrate Lu had locked Zheng Kai up in jail.

Unexpectedly, in the afternoon, Zheng Kai, accompanied by three or five servants and a matchmaker, barged directly into Ye Caiping's main room.

Everyone in the family came out when they saw this commotion.

Ye Daquan's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets: "Weren't you in jail?"

Zheng Kai waved his fan and said, "My eldest sister is the wife of the county magistrate. Don't think she's just a housewife. My nephew is a fourth-rank official in the Ministry of Works, and my niece is the eldest daughter-in-law of the prefect. They all favor my eldest sister, and my brother-in-law can't do anything to us."

As he spoke, he stared at Ye Caiping:

"And you are nothing but commoners. Do you really think you can't resist? It's your good fortune that I, Zheng Kai, have taken a liking to you. Today you will come back with me to get married. You have no choice but to go."

Ye Daquan was so angry that he wanted to hit someone, but Ye Caiping stopped him.

She looked at Zheng Kai with a sneer: "Since Master Zheng has taken a liking to me, this little woman dares not disobey. You don't need to force me. Just send someone back now to fetch a bridal sedan chair and welcome me out of this village in style."

Ye Daquan and Old Lady Ye turned pale, and Jin'er and Huan'er grabbed her with teary eyes, saying, "Mother..."

"Alright." Ye Caiping shook her head at them, then looked at Zheng Kai: "What are you waiting for, Master Zheng? Hurry up and go!"

Upon hearing her words, Zheng Kai froze on the spot, stopped waving his fan, and his facial muscles twitched, making him look quite unpleasant.

"How did it go?" Ye Caiping raised an eyebrow. "I agreed, so why does Master Zheng still seem unhappy?"

Zheng Kai gripped the fan handle tightly, forcing a smile: "Heh, happy, of course I'm happy! Well... I'm so happy I'm speechless. Since that's the case... well, I can't just brush you off, right? I'll go home now and get ready, and come pick you up in three days. Let's go!"

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